Our Beliefs

While Christian Ladies Meetup is not a church and does not require a statement of faith as such, we do believe that there are some foundational beliefs that Christians must hold which are crucial for salvation (salvation issues) and unity. As people attending Christian Ladies Meetup will come from many different denominations, there will be varying interpretations and understandings of the biblical scriptures. This does not present an issue and everyone’s opinion needs to be respected. Discussions need to be done with love, care and without contention.

The following is what Christian Ladies Meetup believe’s is important for salvation and unity:

First we will define what a Salvation issue is:

A salvation issue is something that:

1. The Bible presents as essential to being saved (John 3:16, Romans 10:9).
2. If denied or twisted, leads to a false gospel (Galatians 1:6–9).
3. Is central to the person and work of Christ, grace, and the response of faith.

Key Salvation Issues According to the Bible:

1. Who Jesus is – His full identity

• The Son of God:
  • “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” 1 John 4:15.
  • “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:12.
  • “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:5.
  • “but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:31.
• Sinless: “who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” 1 Peter 2:22.
• Unique Savior: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

2. Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

• The resurrection proves He is Lord and has conquered death:
  • “…how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…” 1 Corinthians 15:3–4.
  • “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11.
  • “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32.
  • “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-23.

3. Salvation by Grace through Faith (Not by Works)

• We can not earn our salvation, we are saved by Gods grace through faith.
  • “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8–9.
  • “ I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21.

4. Repentance and Faith in Christ

• Repentance means to “change one’s mind” (Strong’s G3340 – metanoeō) and is seen through the turning away from sin and turning towards righteousness/holiness. This will be visible in a persons actions and it is the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to walk in this holiness producing good works. The body of Christ are to encourage each other to do good works, as we follow Jesus Christ. Although we are not saved by works, the grace God gives us doesn’t allow us to keep willfully sinning either – resulting in judgement. His grace empowers us to live holy lives, which was Paul’s expectation for believers following true belief/faith in Christ.
  • “and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:15.

• • “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8–10.

• • “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11–14.
  • “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1–2

• • “…but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” Acts 26:20.
  • “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” 1 John 2:1.
  • “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. t is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31.

• • “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” James 2:14–18.

• • “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:16–24.

• • “…as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14–16.
  • “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12–13.
  • “and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works…” Hebrews 10:24.

5. Receiving the Holy Spirit

• Receiving the Holy Spirit is an important part of being born again, belonging to Christ and being sealed.
  • “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Romans 8:9.
  • “…in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13–14.
  • “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38.

  • “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Galatians 3:2.

  • “…be filled with the Spirit;” Ephesians 5:18.

  • “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-8. 
  • “being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23.
  • “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:” John 20:22.

Foundational beliefs that Christians must hold which are crucial for unity:

The Bible is the Inspired Word of God

• The Bible is the word of God. It carries divine authority and instruction for all humanity.
  • “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17
  • “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21.

We believe that the below is a biblical response to the Gospel as outlined in the New Testament:

Biblical Response to the Gospel:

All scriptures quoted are from the Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV) unless otherwise stated. Created with assistance from ChatGPT.